Needs Improvement
#2395 of 2,648 schools in NC
Townsend Elementary
Elementary School · Public Schools of Robeson County
105 Carolina Street, Maxton, NC 28364
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,395 of 2,648
In Maxton
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#26 of 36
Public Schools of Robeson County
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Townsend Elementary
Elementary School in Maxton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mind and Soul School
4.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South Johnson Elementary
5.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Townsend Elementary
Townsend Elementary is a public elementary school in Maxton, NC, part of Public Schools of Robeson County. Townsend Elementary serves approximately 274 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 22.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Townsend Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,395 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Townsend Elementary show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Townsend Elementary runs 22.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Townsend Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
42% of students at Townsend Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Townsend Elementary — Students at Townsend Elementary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.
How Townsend Elementary Compares
See how Townsend Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
105 Carolina Street, Maxton, NC 28364
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Townsend Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Johnson Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Laurinburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Old Main STREAM Academy (rated 8.4/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Pembroke), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sycamore Lane Primary (rated 6.9/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Laurinburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Maxton, see our Maxton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MIND AND SOUL SCHOOL Maxcon | 4.6 mi | — |
| South Johnson Elementary Laurinburg | 5.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Purnell Swett High Pembroke | 6.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Oxendine Elementary Maxton | 7.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Prospect Elementary Maxton | 6.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Scotland Early College High Laurinburg | 7.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Scotland High School Laurinburg | 7.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Sycamore Lane Primary Laurinburg | 7.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Sycamore Lane Elementary Laurinburg | 7.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Spring Hill Middle Laurinburg | 9.5 mi | 2.8 |
| Shaw Academy Laurinburg | 9.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Union Elementary Rowland | 9.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Wagram Elementary Wagram | 10.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Pembroke Middle Pembroke | 9.0 mi | 3.6 |
| CHRIST THE CORNERSTONE ACADEMY Laurinburg | 8.8 mi | 6.6 |
| CIS Academy Lumberton | 9.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Old Main STREAM Academy Pembroke | 9.3 mi | 8.4 |
| SCOTLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Laurinburg | 9.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Pembroke Elementary Pembroke | 9.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Peterson Elementary Red Springs | 10.7 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28364 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,889
Median Home Value
$76,100
Median Rent
$757/mo
Population
13,184
College Educated
14%
Homeownership
74.5%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
31.4%
Median Age
37.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Forest Hill Elementary Morganton, NC | 3.9 |
| Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 3.9 |
| Germanton Elementary School Germanton, NC | 4.0 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir, NC | 4.0 |
| J T Barber Elementary New Bern, NC | 3.8 |
| John W Dillard Academy Madison, NC | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Townsend Elementary
What grades does Townsend Elementary serve?
Townsend Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Townsend Elementary?
Townsend Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Townsend Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Townsend Elementary is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Townsend Elementary rank in NC?
Townsend Elementary ranks #2,395 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Townsend Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Townsend Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Townsend Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Townsend Elementary has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Townsend Elementary a charter school?
No, Townsend Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Townsend Elementary a Title I school?
No, Townsend Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Townsend Elementary?
98.9% of students at Townsend Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 274
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Robeson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.0%
- Phone
- (910) 844-5086
Resources & Links
District
Public Schools of Robeson County- District Enrollment
- 20,983
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,767
- District Rank
- #26 of 36
Other Schools in This District
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